SC Ports Leader Speaks To Greenville Rotary

SC Ports Authority President and CEO Jim Newsome spoke Tuesday to Rotary Club of Greenville about Greer's Inland Port.

Newsome said the buzz the inland port has generated in the Upstate has been incredible.

The Ports Authority actually purchased the property in Greer in 1983, Newsome said he had always wondered what they would do with the property 

"Then BMW and Norfolk Southern railroad created this opportunity," Newsome said. "BMW, Michelin, Norfolk Southern are great partners in this project. We are very lucky."

Newsome said that freight moves because of transportation infrastructure. He said the ability of the port to service some 100 million consumers in a 500-mile radius lowers the cost of doing business.

"We are trying to extend the reach of our port and grow it in a modern way, Newsome said. "We are starting to see excitement from people who hadn't invested here before. There are a lot of importers and exporters who will want to grow their footprint in the Upstate, and especially in Greer, as a direct result of being able to move freight more efficiently."

Despite 58 days of rain, Newsome said the inland port is scheduled to open just after Oct. 1. He said the port will begin receiving test shipments in September.